Across Falkirk District, Scotland – Sept 16-24, 2017

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Events

Find out more about the Antonine Wall and the Frontiers of the Roman Empire during Big Roman Week. Across Falkirk district (and beyond) from September 16-24, 2017 AD.

Some events – but not all – are free of charge. Check if you need to book a place (or get tickets in advance). See individual listings for details. Please note that listings may be subject to late change. If travelling from a distance, check with the venue before the event.

ALL WEEK – FREE FILM SHOW: THE MARK OF ROME. How one of Britain’s best Roman finds was copied using hi-tech tools and reinstalled close to where it was found in Bo’ness. Edited version. Running time 25 minutes. Showing on demand, during opening hours, at Kinneil Museum, Bo’ness (open every afternoon, except Tuesdays, from 12.30 p.m. to 4 p.m.; admission free.) www.kinneil.org.uk

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 – TALK: ROMANS IN SCOTLAND. Big Roman Week’s Edinburgh event! The Romans were only in Scotland for a few decades, but in that time, they left several impressive structures from forts and marching camps to the Antonine Wall. But did they have a greater impact on Scotland? Have they helped shape it into the nation it is today? This morning lecture will explore Roman Scotland and what archaeology has told us about their brief part of Scotland’s history. This lecture is provided by Archaeology Scotland, a charity that is working to inspire communities, amateurs and professionals to discover, explore and enjoy Scotland’s past. Tickets cost £9 per person, including coffee and cakes. From 10.30 a.m. At Lauriston Castle, 2a Cramond Road South, Davidson’s Mains, Edinburgh, EH4 5QD. Pre-booking and advance payment is essential for this event. To secure your place you can book in a number of ways . . . Online: Go to the Usher Hall website and enter Lauriston Castle in the search box. By phone – 0131 228 1155 (Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 10am-5.30pm). In person – Box Office, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, EH1 2EA (Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 10am-5.30pm).

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 – KIDS’ EVENT – ROMAN LEGO MEGA-BUILD! Come along dressed up to our celebration of everything Roman and help library staff build the Antonine Wall, some arches and viaducts out of Lego. Suitable for children aged seven and over. At Falkirk Library, Hope Street, Falkirk, FK1 5AU, from 11 a.m. to noon. Tickets, priced £2 each, are available from the library. Call the library on 01324 503605. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 – FAMILY EVENT: BIG ROMAN DAY AT KINNEIL. Historic Kinneil House, built next to the Antonine Wall, is open for free tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (last admission 3.30 p.m.) There will also be a family fun day in the surrounding Kinneil Estate, including a Roman encampment starring the Antonine Guard re-enactment group, dressing up for children, and more. Kinneil Museum will also be open. Free, just turn up (children must be accompanied by an adult). Use the postcode EH51 0PR. The Friends of Kinneil, Historic Environment Scotland, Falkirk Community Trust and partners. http://www.kinneil.org.uk (Part of Doors Open Days in Falkirk district) Get updates at www.facebook.com/kinneil and www.twitter.com/kinneil

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 – THE ANTONINE WALL COMMUNITY CONFERENCE. Community representatives join Roman experts for a conference about the World Heritage Site. At Hippodrome Cinema, Hope Street, Bo’ness, EH51 0AA. The conference begins at 10.30 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. sharp. Doors open at 10 a.m. The café pod will be open to sell food and drinks. The conference is free to attend, but tickets must be booked in advance. See full conference details and book free tickets on Eventbrite. Organised by The Friends of Kinneil in association with Falkirk Council and Falkirk Community Trust.

Speakers will include:

Dr Rebecca Jones, Head of Archaeology and World Heritage at Historic Environment Scotland.

Dr. Frances McIntosh, Curator of Roman Collections at English Heritage

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 – THE ANTONINE WALL RECEPTION. Conference guests and delegates are welcome to join The Friends of Kinneil for a chat and some refreshments at a reception after the morning event. Upstairs at Bo’ness Library, Scotland’s Close, Bo’ness from 1-2 p.m. Open to conference ticket holders. www.kinneil.org.uk/antoninewall

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 – WALK THE WALL: BO’NESS TO CARRIDEN ROMAN FORT. Post conference event. Join archaeologist Geoff Bailey as he leads a walk from Bo’ness town centre, along the John Muir Way, to Carriden Roman Fort. Ending at the Bridgeness Slab replica on Harbour Road. Leaves outside Bo’ness Library at Scotland’s Close, Bo’ness, EH51 0AH at 2 p.m. Free. No need to book, just turn up. Organised by Falkirk Community Trust in association with The Friends of Kinneil. www.kinneil.org.uk

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 – KIDS’ EVENT – ROMAN STORYTIME. Fun for youngsters aged three and over. Come along to a celebration of everything Roman and listen to some brilliant stories about spaghetti and yetis! We’ll also be making some Roman crafts. No need to book, just turn up. From 10.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. At Grangemouth Library, Bo’ness Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8AG. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 – ADULT READING GROUP. Residents are asked to come along to Larbert Library with a Roman or Italian-themed book to discuss at the reading group. The cost is £2 for adults. No need to book, just come along. From 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. At Larbert Library, 22 Hallam Road, Stenhousemuir, FK5 3JX. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 – TALK AND FILM SHOW: LIVING WITH THE WALL. Like Falkirk district, people in Palestine faced Roman occupation. The Antonine Friendship Link aims to build links between modern-day Falkirk and Jayyous near the West Bank. As part of Big Roman Week, the Friendship Link group will host a special evening, including local folk music, in Trinity Church (the former Falkirk Old Parish Church) in Falkirk town centre (FK1 1JN). Members will be joined by a Palestinian visitor to examine and discuss the effects of the West Bank Barrier, in particular on the community of Jayyous, and also the Balfour Declaration of 1917. The event begins at 7.30 p.m. Free, no need to book, just turn up. Organised by Antonine Friendship Link. http://www.antoninefriendshiplink.wordpress.com Get updates at www.facebook.com/antoninefriendshiplink

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 – THE EMPEROR’S BIRTHDAY!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 – KIDS’ EVENT – ROMAN STORYTIME. Fun at Larbert Library for children aged three and over. Come along to a celebration of everything Roman. Listen to some brilliant stories about spaghetti and yetis! Free. No need to book, just come along. From 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. At Larbert Library, 22 Hallam Road, Stenhousemuir, FK5 3JX. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 – TALK: HOW DID THE ANTONINE WALL OPERATE? Historian Geoff Bailey of Falkirk Community Trust will explain all in this free afternoon talk, providing information on recent discoveries along the World Heritage Site. Free. No need to book, just turn up. At Bo’ness Library, Scotland’s Close, Boness, from 2 p.m. Organised by The Friends of Kinneil in association with Falkirk Community Trust. www.kinneil.org.uk/antoninewall

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 – KIDS’ EVENT – MEET THE ROMANS. Free event for children aged eight and over. Roman expert Geoff Bailey will be visiting Meadowbank Library in Polmont to show children Roman artefacts and pottery. Youngsters will also be able to try making pots for themselves. It might become messy, so wear suitable clothing! From 4.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. The event is free, but you need to get tickets in advance from Meadowbank Library, Stevenson Avenue, Polmont, FK2 0GU. Call the library on 01324 503870. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 – WALK THE WALL: MUMRILLS ROMAN FORT SITE. Historian Geoff Bailey will lead a walk along the Helix paths network from Falkirk Stadium to Mumrills, on the outskirts of Laurieston. This was the site of the largest fort on the Antonine Wall. Excavations have revealed that there were actually two separate forts on the site, with the later fort using the earlier fort as an annexe. Free walk in association with Step Forth. No need to book, just turn up. Leaves car park at Falkirk Stadium, 4 Stadium Way, Falkirk FK2 9EE, at 7 p.m. Organised by The Friends of Kinneil in association with Falkirk Community Trust/Step Forth.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – KIDS’ EVENT – STORYTIME. Fun at Falkirk Library for children aged three and over. Come along to a celebration of everything Roman. Listen to some brilliant stories about spaghetti and yetis – and help make Roman headwear. From 10.30 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. No need to book, just come along. At Falkirk Library, Hope Street, Falkirk, FK1 5AU. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 – TALK – RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL WORK IN FALKIRK DISTRICT. Join a free talk about the latest excavations and research on the Antonine Wall. Hosted by Falkirk Local History Society. At the Trinity Church (the former Falkirk Old Parish Church) in the heart of Falkirk town centre, from 7.30 p.m. No need to book, just turn up. www.falkirklocalhistorysociety.co.uk

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 – KIDS’ EVENT – ROMAN STORYTIME. Fun for youngsters aged three and over. Come along to a celebration of everything Roman and listen to some brilliant stories about spaghetti and yetis! We’ll also be making some Roman crafts. No need to book, just turn up. From 10.30 a.m. to 11 a.m. At Meadowbank Library, Stevenson Avenue, Polmont, FK2 0GU. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 – CRAFT EVENT – ROMAN CRAFTERNOON. The ladies’ craft group at Bonnybridge Library is holding a Roman-themed afternoon – sampling Roman sweet treats and working on woollen wonders. Come along – and bring along whatever you’re working on. Includes light refreshments and sweet treats. Priced £1 for adults. No need to book, just come along. From 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. at Bonnybridge Library, Bridge Street, Bonnybridge, FK4 1AD. Call the library on 01324 503295. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 – KIDS’ EVENT – ROMAN CHATTERBOOKS. Larbert Library’s popular children’s reading group will welcome a special visitor – a Roman Centurion! Children will be marching in formation, learning about Roman customs and getting to grips with artefacts. Free event for children aged eight and over. Free tickets available from the library. From 4 p.m. to 4.45 p.m. At Larbert Library, 22 Hallam Road, Stenhousemuir, FK5 3JX. Call 01324 503590. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 – KIDS’ EVENT – ROMAN STORYTIME AND CRAFTS. Free event for children aged five and over. Dress up and come along to this celebration of everything Roman. Children will help make mosaics, dazzling shields and some fancy headwear. No need to book, just come along. At Slamannan Library, High Street, Slamannan, FK1 3EX from 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – KIDS’ EVENT – ROMAN ARCHAEOLOGY FOR CHILDREN. Historian Geoff Bailey will be visiting Bo’ness Library to show children Roman artefacts and pottery. Youngsters will also get the chance to make different types of pottery. For children aged eight and over. From 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. Free, however, please get a ticket in advance from Bo’ness Library, Scotland’s Close, Bo’ness, EH51 0AH. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – KIDS’ EVENT – ROMAN STORYTIME AND CRAFTS. Free event for children aged five and over. Dress up and come along to this celebration of everything Roman. Children will help make mosaics, dazzling shields and some fancy headwear. No need to book, just come along. At Bonnybridge Library, Bridge Street, Bonnybridge, from 11.30 a.m. http://www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – FAMILY EVENT – GET YOUR ROMAN PHOTO. Come along dressed up as a Roman and have your photograph taken using green screen technology. There’ll be a variety of backgrounds to choose from – a Roman fort, a pirate ship, a battle scene. Your photograph will be emailed to you free of charge. There will be some dressing up clothes available on the day. For all ages. No need to book, just turn up. From noon to 1 p.m. at Bo’ness Library, Scotland’s Close, Bo’ness, EH51 0AH. www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/libraries

There will also be tours of the surrounding estate from Kinneil guide/trustee Adrian Mahoney. Tours will leave the museum at 1 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. and take around an hour, visiting the Roman fortlet and other historic sites. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No need to book, just turn up. Organised by The Friends of Kinneil. www.kinneil.org.uk/attractions

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 – ROMAN COOKING. Chef John Crouch moves along the Antonine Wall to Bridgeness to cook up some authentic Roman food for locals. There will also be some modern-day nibbles. From 7 p.m. at Bridgeness Miners’ Welfare Club, Harbour Rd, Bo’ness, EH51 9LF. No need to book, just turn up. Admission will be free (although attendees are asked to give a small donation at the door to The Friends of Kinneil to help cover costs.) Organised by The Friends of Kinneil with the support of Falkirk Council. www.kinneil.org.uk

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 – FAMILY EVENT – WALK THE WALL: MEET THE ROMANS AT ROUGH CASTLE. Falkirk Council’s Ranger Service will lead this walk through Rough Castle Community Woodland from the Falkirk Wheel. The route takes in the Rough Castle Roman Fort, part of The Frontiers of the Roman Empire (Antonine Wall) World Heritage Site. This is an easy walk of around 1.5m (2.4km). Wear stout footwear and dress for our Scottish weather. The event will run from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the Falkirk Wheel (entrance to Visitor Information Centre). Booking is essential. The cost is £3 for adults and £2 for children. Call 01324 504950 or email: rangers@falkirk.gov.uk to book a place.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 – WALK THE WALL: CROY HILL/BAR HILL – Big Roman Week moves into North Lanarkshire for a free walk to two impressive sites, led by historian Geoff Bailey. Croy Hill was once home to a fort and fortlet. Today it boasts modern interpretation and stunning views over the “Caledonian” territory to the North. At nearby Bar Hill, there are the remains of a headquarters building (Principia) and bath-house. The walk – covering around seven miles in total – will leave Auchinstarry Marina car park, by Kilsyth at 2 p.m., returning by the flat canal path. There’s no need to book, just turn up – although children must be accompanied by an adult. The round trip between both sites will take several hours; however, participants can leave the walk after Croy Hill, returning to Auchinstarry for a shorter trek.

Please note that distances for walks are approximate.
Please wear suitable clothing – preparing for all weathers – and good footwear. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer return transport back to venues. For information on buses to and from venues try http://www.travelinescotland.com